Aug. 12, 2008

PARK RIDGE, Ill. - The Big Ten's 11 volleyball programs will enjoy vast national exposure for the 2008 regular season with 23 matches to be played in front of a national television audience. The Big Ten Network alone will broadcast 20 contests, while ESPN2 will air three.

The 2008 television schedule features 32 combined appearances by the conference's six NCAA Championship teams from 2007 - Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin. The lineup also includes seven appearances by defending NCAA Champion Penn State. The Nittany Lions will make six showings, including three on their home court, on the Big Ten Network, and one on ESPN2.

In addition to nationally televised matches, Big Ten volleyball programs will also be featured on the Big Ten Network's nightly show, Big Ten Tonight, as well as the weekly Big Ten Women's Show, which airs Monday nights.

The broadcast schedule begins Sunday, Sept. 14, on the Big Ten Network with a non-conference match between Notre Dame and Minnesota at the Gophers' Sports Pavilion, part of Minnesota's Diet Coke Classic. The lineup continues on Wednesday, Sept. 24, as Michigan plays at Ohio State on the Big Ten Network. The network will typically air two games per week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, during the conference slate. ESPN2 will broadcast three Friday matches and air them on a tape-delay basis.

Regular-season television coverage wraps up on Saturday, Nov. 29, with a wildcard match set to air on the Big Ten Network. Sixteen of the Big Ten Network's first 19 matches will air live, while three will be tape-delayed, and the time slot for the wildcard contest has yet to be determined.

The complete 2008 Big Ten volleyball television schedule can be found below.

2008 Big Ten Volleyball Television Schedule